The aroma gives off little more than brown sugar; a hint of toffee; minimal hop edge. Visually appealing with a dark brown body and garnet highlights; a frothy, moderately persistent, light tan-colored head. The taste is minimally expressive with some sweet, lightly roasted malt and mild bitterness; briefly lingering peanut-shell finish. The mouthfeel is very smooth with a medium body and low carbonation.

Overall I found this one somewhat disappointing in its simplicity. The aroma at least makes its presence known; the taste however is much more reserved. I wouldn't call this one bad, but it is largely unremarkable. A good value at ¥300 (about $3) for 500 ml.

A: black with ruby red highlights; a dark brown translucent profile mixed with the black goodness; 1 finger head that disappeared quickly into some mere beige bubbles around the edges; no lacing left behind.

S: a hint of roasted malt; subtle toasted barley malt; bran flakes and cereal; perhaps a twist of caramel malt, but not complex enough to really provide some rich qualities.

T: toasty up front, slightly dry and a little bitter in the backend. I like schwarzbiers to have a little sweet/chocolate taste to balance the slightly hoppy bitter aftertaste, but this didn't have that. Hints of barley/toasted grains/brain flakes/roasted barley; at times the beer was flat with too much of a carbonated water taste.

M: Light/medium bodied; perfect for a cool and wet May spring evening. A little too carbonated, which gave it a soda water feel. It could have been a little more crisp.

Overall, it was okay. It just needed a little more "umph" in its overall body, taste, and character. I have had much better schwarzbiers before; although it is much better than the cheap Chinese adjunct lagers that are ubiquitous in China!

Dark, opaque brown with red highlights. Head, retention and lacing are less impressive.

Aroma is interesting, with light buttery toffee and charred roast.

Flavor has a metallic tinge, but is overall not that bad. Roast flavor is present, though not as convincing as it could be. Touch of buttered bread. Thankfully not very sweet. Finish is brisk, if a tad harsh. Mouthfeel is soda-like and kind of thin. Despite the mediocrity of this Schwarzbier, it's totally drinkable and by no means bad.

I have a weird respect for Oettinger. Their beers range from average to above-average at best, but I don't expect anything more with the price I'm paying. Much better than the cheap stuff in America. However, I have no idea how someone gave this an "A" below. Really?

Oettinger Schwarzbier 4.9% ABV
Good until 7/31/07
Picked up at the Kaufland Getränksmarkt in Halle (Saale), Germany

Dark brown with a decent, tight and slightly fluffy head of small tan bubbles that dissipates fairly quickly to outer rim with thin islands in the middle. Thin body (feels pretty watered down) with an almost soda-y fizz. Aroma is unimpressive with notes of grain alcohol, grass, and roasted malts. Taste is slightly chocolatey, but otherwise little in the way of hop character or anything but a mildly sweet malt backbone. It is drinkable enough, but why bother? Not offensive, but Id suggest finding something else.